A group of high profile journalists and communications professionals have signed up as industry mentors for a volunteer scheme set up by charity the Media Trust.

Kamal Ahmed, business editor for the Sunday Telegraph, ITN Newsreader Charlene White and ITV Central Newsreader Louisa James are among the journalism and PR professionals who have signed up to the scheme, which aims to pass on professional skills and training to communities and organisations that want to reach new audiences or get their voices heard.

The charity put out the call for volunteers back in August to expand its existing network of 2,201 volunteers with new recruits from the journalism and media sectors to work alongside charities, community groups and young people that need assistance with digital projects.

"The Media Trust provides fantastic links between the media industry and the voluntary sector, making it simpler for media professionals to get involved, make a contribution and help create new networks.

"With a whole host of creative ideas we can show that making an impact is not simply a function of how much money you spend or how flash your offices are - it is about time and a commitment to an idea that tomorrow is going to be that little bit better than today," says Ahmed in a release from the charity.